Tracks' newly appointed Patron, Her Honour the Honourable Vicki O'Halloran AM, Administrator of the Northern Territory invited the Grey Panthers and Tracks staff to join her for afternoon tea at Government House. Her Honour wished to celebrate the achievement and milestone of 30 years of The Grey Panthers.

Opening with a welcome from Her Honour, she reflected on the spirit of The Grey Panthers and their place in the Darwin community, followed by Tracks Artistic Co Director David McMicken reminiscing through the history and many delights that this group has been through. One thing was certain, that The Grey Panthers hold a very special place in both Tracks and the community of Darwin's hearts.

Meet the participants behind the inagural 2018 Choreographic Intensive, facilitated by Tracks' Dance Animateur Kelly Beneforti who aims to support emerging choreographers in developing their work to the next stage of craftsmanship and refinement.

Sheila Rose

(Pictured Left)

My love for dance is intrinsic to my well-being. My dancing journey started in the early nineties when I looked for dance at Cairns Tafe but found only art and music. In 1999 I was successful in my audition to attend The Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in Brisbane, directed by Michael Leslie, where I completed an Introduction and Cert IV in the Performing Arts. In Darwin, I have attended contemporary ballet classes with Gary Lang and completed the Choreographic Program at Tracks in 2017, which included a public showing of my work, Mother the Giver of Life.

Felicity Wardle

(Pictured Right)

I am passionately into experimental performance art, multi-disciplinary collaborations, and cross-cultural projects. My interests are as much about the process of creation, as in the end results. I let questions emerge naturally, weaving a variety of art forms, psychology and spirituality into all of my explorations through a grounded research methodology. Recent initiatives include Nibbles Theatre, Ritual Opera and Movement Lab, which have focused on immersive art experiences in unusual places, creating site specific performance art that reflects the truth of the moment. I continue my crossdisciplinary participation in projects involving puppetry, physical theatre, contemporary dance, poetry and photography.

Will Nery

(Pictured Centre)

My first inspiration for dancing was a DVD that my brother brought home from the shops when I was five. It introduced me to Gamblerz, a world champion break dance crew, and to Bboy Lazer’s insanely fast head-spins - I trained hard every day just to practice that one move, and I still do. For the past fifteen years I can absolutely say that doing those head-spins is the closest thing I've ever felt to flying. Breakdancing also brought out this competitive edge within me which has brought out my confidence. Now I compete not only with other break-dancers, but with myself. That thirst for constant improvement helps me feel alive every day.

To watch the works developed in the 2018 Choreographic Intensive program, book tickets to Fresh Tracks - as part of the Darwin Fringe Festival. For more information about the performance and process follow the link to our Fresh Tracks page.

Would you like to be a community dancer in Tracks' new show In Your Blood?

You will learn new skills, create new friendships, get to dance alongside professional dancers and become a better performer by being a part of a Darwin Festival show (August 12 - 19). We are looking for two groups of performers to make up a cast of up to 25 community members, who are aged over 16 and under 100 with a passion for moving.

'In Your Blood'

What happens when love of culture, passion for sport and family bonds collide In Your Blood?Tracks Dance Company’s Festival show brings the pitch to the dance floor as our Top End Australian, Balinese and Sri Lankan performers come together transforming the George Brown Botanic Garden into this seasons tropical open air theatre.

In Your Blood draws on the threads between mothers and sons, football and cricket, traditional and contemporary dance and wraps it in a massive soundtrack by Darwin’s ARIA nominated producer James Mangohig.

Group 1 - The Footy Team

Some dance experience is necessary.
You will learn and create robust, exciting, energetic movement with influences from the game of AFL and Balinese cultural dance. Enthusiasm for getting in and trying new things required! Bring your best Jumping Jack!

Group 2 -The Cricketers

No prior dance experience required.
You will be part of a team of diverse performers moving in versatile ways through the show. Think simple, easy to learn dance moves that are inspired by sporting and cultural rituals.

Auditions

Will be held at Tracks Dance Studio, Frog Hollow Centre for the Arts, 56 McMinn St Darwin.

I am a Yawuru woman from Broome, now living and working in Darwin. Throughout my career I have had many roles in a range of organisations: indigenous and non-indigenous; community, personal and corporate; small and large; local and regional; sports, arts and the mining sector, both in town and in the bush, always with a focus on promoting indigenous engagement.

I began my working life as an Events manager in Broome at Goolarri Media where I was involved in the planning, management, marketing and production of several annual events including Broome’s NAIDOC Festival, Kimberley Girl and Shinju Matsuri Festival. I also helped with exhibitions, and assisting with casting for film productions, and staging musical events. Later I worked at the Darwin Convention Centre coordinating events and compliance.

Coming from a strong family background I am committed to encouraging young indigenous people and others of all cultural backgrounds to engage in sport and the arts as a way of building self-esteem, leadership and good liyan (well-being) for themselves, their families and the broader community.

As part of our Tracktivation project - 'activating the city with dance' alongside Live Darwin, our Tracktivators have been searching out sites throughout the CBD. In response to these sites new contemporary works are being produced concluding in 2 city dance walks. The Tracktivators have initially been inspired by site specific dance specialist - Tim Newth and Architect Katy Moir who have led our dancer and choreographers into new ways of envisioning and utilising “Space”.

Maddy Brown is working at the Darwin Bus Depot.

Bryn Wacket has been inspired by the bike riding capacity of the city and its bike racks.

Jenelle Saunders goes back to the 40's and movie stardom in the Star Village Arcade.

Kelly Beneforti transforms the stairwell near Sari Rasa into an aquarium.